- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Brazil international midfielder Andre is set to rebuff interest from Turkey and Russia in the coming days and stay with Fluminense.
Brazilian midfielder Andre was widely expected to depart the South American club either last summer or in the January transfer window, but a deal for the promising 24-year-old never materialised.
One of the clubs he was linked to during the winter window was Marco Silva’s Fulham and the Cottagers had agreed terms in principle but HITC understands that a deal for the Brazilian would only have been completed had Joao Palhinha left the club.
Bayern Munich were the team who were following Palhinha the closest but the German side decided to invest in other areas of their squad. Liverpool were also linked with a move.
Turkish and Russian interest
Lyon and Roma showed an interest in the Fluminense midfielder, whilst there was also interest from the Saudi Pro League but no firm offers arrived.
However, HITC understands that clubs in Turkey and Russia have made contact with Andre’s representatives and in theory, they could still offer him a move as their windows remain open.
Despite this, sources have confirmed that Andre is not overly keen on moving to either league and would rather wait until the summer with a move to a top European league understood to be his preference.
A move in the summer for the Brazilian is looking likely but it seems his current club Fluminense are keen to celebrate holding onto the midfielder for six months at least.
Fluminense’s stance on Andre
As mentioned, the Brazilian midfielder will be remaining at the South American side until the summer at least and Fluminense are seemingly keen to celebrate this fact.
“Andre has been a very outstanding player and certainly has a bright future ahead of him,” Diniz told Globo. “We have to know how to enjoy, while he is here, the quality he delivers in terms of play and daily coexistence. It’s great that André can be here. But, almost certainly its future is in the European market.”
Andre will surely move on from the South American side in the summer but a move to Turkey or Russia is not on the cards.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
